Harry and Meghan Won't Make it In Canada

For the most part, Canadians are indifferent to the Royal family with almost half believing that the institution is passé. As for hard-core royalists, the number stands at less than 20%.

This is what we expect of royals. Who knows what we will get?

To characterize the Canadian view, ambivalence might be the best word to describe our attitude and even in Quebec where the monarchy is least popular, the level of opposition is minor, where most believe that the Royals are not that important and not an issue to fuss over.

That being said, those who love the monarchy represent an interesting minority whereby the romantic pomp and circumstance is the stuff that feeds dreams and something which has done so long before stories like Cinderella that set young girls' hearts aflutter with dreams of bagging their very own Prince Charming.
Supporting the monarchy costs each Canadian less than the cost of half a paperback romance novel, so complaining about the cost is rather cruel and cheap. The government pays for all sorts of cultural things that only a minority of Canadians enjoy, like museums, festivals, Canadian content on television, subsidies for artists and writers and a plethora of stuff that only a few of us enjoy.

So supporting the monarchy is value for our tax money, whereby those who enjoy following the royals, while a minority, are still a significant number.

But in that implicit bargain is that the royals conduct themselves in a manner that will maintain that interest, in other words acting royally and providing the mystery and pomp and circumstance that those who follow expect and enjoy.

For Meghan and Harry to propose a hybrid change in that compact whereby they will sometimes act royally and sometimes act like private citizens will wear thin on those who do support the monarchy.

We already have royals who act as private citizens in Princesses Eugenie and Beatrice, daughters of the now-disgraced Prince Andrew. These princesses have real jobs and earn their own money, unsupported by taxpayers. They do show up to royal functions as members of the family but are not required, nor do they publicly represent the monarchy.

Good on them, but the reality is that these princesses are of little or no interest to us, having forsaken the glamorous and mysterious life of Royals.
A visit by either of these princesses to Canada wouldn't raise an eyebrow or create any sort of stir.

Those are the waters that Harry and Meghan are now testing, waters that are dangerous and cruel.
Not to put too crude a point on it but they'd both be advised of the old adage that it's not possible to suck and blow at the same time.

As for the cost of their security, at $10 million it may be peanuts in the great scheme of things, but regardless of the cost, taxpayers will have none of it.

The idea that RCMP protection officers will accompany Meghan on a paid acting gig or provide security for Harry while he gives a speech for which he is paid $150,000 is outrageous.

We've already seen portents of this future with the candid video of Prince Harry begging Disney president Bob Iger for a voice-over job for Meghan who pretended not to be aware of what was going on while chatting with Beyoncé
It was an unseemly and decidedly un-royal spectacle. LINK

Canadians are a kind and generous people, but they also have an inane sense of fair play and decency. While we have a lot of varied opinions, when you see 73% agreeing that we shouldn't pay for Meghan and Harry's security, you've reached a consensus.

The erstwhile in-and-out royals should take heed, Canadians aren't going to support their private/public lifestyle, it just will not fly.

Up till now, even amongst non-royalists, Harry and Meghan have enjoyed a decent amount of respect, but that will all change if they believe they can foist their re-invented royal/non-royal life on our dime.

If our government does provide security in the face of overwhelming public opposition there will be Hell to pay, not only for our Prime Minister but Harry and Meghan as well.

For the first time in his life, Harry will face a certain public rebuke and an outspoken opposition that will not remain silent, something that he will be shocked to endure

For Meghan, not really one made of sterner stuff, the criticism will be as painful as what chased her out of Britain.
 
Canadians are willing to accept Meghan and Harry with open arms, free to live the lifestyle they prefer but on condition that taxpayers aren't on the hook for a dime.

I'm betting they haven't really understood that their choice to step away from royal duties has consequences and that once the royal cachet is gone, they are nothing more than celebrities, subject to the whim of popularity.
As the couple ages and their glamour and good looks fade, the royal family with all its trappings will look better and better.

Faced with this unexpected criticism the royal/un-royal couple will likely decamp to Los Angeles, where they will probably fare even worse.